National School Counseling Week

Valdosta City/Lowndes
County School Counselors and Valdosta State University School Counselor
Professors and Interns Celebrate During National School Counseling Week, Feb.
1–5, 2016

National School
Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA),
will be celebrated from Feb. 1–5, 2016, to focus public attention on the unique
contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems and
how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National
School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can
have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

The special week
honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who
"implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the
educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st
century," according to Valdosta Mayor John Gayle who signed the
proclamation designating Feb. 1–5 as National School Counseling Week in the
greater Valdosta area.

In a proclamation, Mayor
Gayle cited school counselors for being actively engaged in helping students
examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a
partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in
today's world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students'
social/personal, educational and career development; and working with teachers
and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize
their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for
themselves. Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators
with a master's degree in guidance and counseling. The combination of their
training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational
program.

More than 30,000 school
counselors nationwide will be participating in the week's festivities. Many
school counselors will be hosting special events and activities to call
attention to the myriad benefits of a comprehensive school counseling program.

As part of its
celebration for National School Counseling Week, Valdosta, Lowndes and Valdosta
State school counselors, professors and interns attended a training on
Thursday, January 28th at VSU whereDr. Lynn Adams spoke about effective
strategies to implement when counseling students who suffer from an Autism
Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Teddi Cunningham spoke to counselors concerning legal
and ethical issues in the supervision process. Mayor Gayle visited the event to
sign the proclamation honoring these educators. Parents or community members with specific questions or
concerns about school counseling programs should contact the school counselors
at their local schools. More general information can also be found on ASCA's
website, www.schoolcounselor.org.

The American School
Counselor Association (ASCA) is a worldwide nonprofit organization based in
Alexandria, Va. Founded in 1952, ASCA supports school counselors' efforts to
help students focus on academic, personal/social and career development so they
not only achieve success in school but are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as
responsible members of society. The association, which is the school counseling
division of the American Counseling Association, provides professional
development, publications and other resources, research and advocacy to more
professional school counselors around the globe.

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